nitrate and rock help.please!!!!

[killergoby]

Try it without the sponge. It might be a solution. Also, try changing the carbon more often. Like every week or 2...

 

[brolik1]

Originally Posted by killergoby
Try it without the sponge. It might be a solution. Also, try changing the carbon more often. Like every week or 2...
Bio max are like ceramic rings that hold bacteria.what can I replace the sponge with to trap the debris?

 

[killergoby]

Try to increase the flow in the tank. I don't use a sponge in my reef. Just heavy skimming, good flow w/ 2 powerheads, and a refugium w/ Mineral Mud and Cheateo.

 

[brolik1]

Originally Posted by killergoby
Try to increase the flow in the tank. I don't use a sponge in my reef. Just heavy skimming, good flow w/ 2 powerheads, and a refugium w/ Mineral Mud and Cheateo.
So can you please tell me what can I do with my aquaclear 50 filter.If not a fuge but whats the next best.and how should I do my water change, 4 gallons every week or 6?I have algae in my tank its like curly and looks plastic.

 

[killergoby]

Originally Posted by brolik1
So can you please tell me what can I do with my aquaclear 50 filter.If not a fuge but whats the next best.and how should I do my water change, 4 gallons every week or 6?I have algae in my tank its like curly and looks plastic.

I do a 4 gallon water change on my 29 gallon reef every week, but I have 50lbs of live rock in the tank, with heavy skimming, and CPR's 12" HOB refuge. I converted a Aquaclear 300 filter to a refuge. Once I get the link, I'll shoot it to you.
Can you shoot a pic of the algae?

 

[brolik1]

I cant get a pic but it is green(duh)and its in a notted bunch and it looks and feels like something you scrub your pots with.so you saying I can tke my aquaclear 50 and make a fuge out of it?I thought a fuge is supposed to have light and algae and other stuff in it.

 

[killergoby]

Like this?

It's "do-able". I'm still trying to access the link that I use to make it. Hang tight...

 

[brolik1]

that looks really nice; and what do you use to collect the debris and for chemical filtration and what do you add in their?where is the algae you use?and what kind of light do you have in their? :thinking:

 

[killergoby]

I no longer have that on my tank because I got this fuge instead. The algae was in there on top of 4" of Mineral Mud. This is the light that I used.

 

[brolik1]

Just let me know exactly what to put in my filter to help out for my nitrates and ill do it.Im in desperate measures.
thanks alot

 

[killergoby]

Try to add 10 more pounds of good porous live rock to the tank. Try to add a refugium. Keep up with the weekly water changes and only feed 2 times a week.

 

[brolik1]

I have to feed the feather dusters,how many times a week should I feed the dusters?
and I have emerald crabs should I buy them an algae mat to clip on a rock so they can feed on?and also I have no fish in my tank just snails,two crabs and 3 feater dusters.

 

[beth]

Feather dusters are filter feeders and eat from the existing fauna in the water column. The idea is to have a great "food factory" going that self-produces the food needed by these animals within the tank...and many mechanical filters, such as carbon, UV, etc., kill that off.

 

[brolik1]

ok thanks and what about the crabs?what can I feed them?

 

[killergoby]

Originally Posted by brolik1
ok thanks and what about the crabs?what can I feed them?

You should not have to feed the crabs and snails at all. They will pick at the excess algae and waste in the tank. The feather dusters like "dirtier" water conditions. So reducing the nitrates in your tank might cause them to die off. Or if you do reduce the nitrate, you'd have to supplement with Marine Snow.

 

[brolik1]

Originally Posted by killergoby
You should not have to feed the crabs and snails at all. They will pick at the excess algae and waste in the tank. The feather dusters like "dirtier" water conditions. So reducing the nitrates in your tank might cause them to die off. Or if you do reduce the nitrate, you'd have to supplement with Marine Snow.
Thats what I feed the feather dusters already but im just worrying that my crabs and snails arent eating getting the food they need from my tank,but if you say they are fine then I guess they are fine.
and killer gobie I bought the lamp,and the algae for the mini fuge,what else did you add to your old fuge we were talking about earlier.

 

[brolik1]

hey killer what did you put in front where the water comes out of.did you cut out the bottom of the cartridge?

 

[killergoby]

Originally Posted by brolik1
hey killer what did you put in front where the water comes out of.did you cut out the bottom of the cartridge?
I did. I cut the insert that holds the carbon pouch and sponge, then used marine epoxy to glue the bottom in place so the algae would not flow in to the tank.
I'm still being blocked at Reef Central in their search function due to high server load. Once I get the link from it on how to build a fuge out of a AC300 HOB (the one I used from Sugar Magnolia) I'll link it to this post.

 

[brolik1]

thanks killer your a tank saver.I was going to quit it.just make sure you wont forget about me and thanks alot.once you get that link you can email me at brolik1@aol.com.
thanks

 

[brolik1]

one more question you said you had 4" of mineral mud?what else did you add, besides the algae and the lamp?any trace elements or did you just put in the mud and algae and let the tank naturally do its work with the fuge.I have:
1)brillo pad algae
2)and lamp
anything im missing from my list that you hada in your refuge